Daguolu is a commonly used heat-clearing and detoxifying medicine that can be taken orally or applied externally. It has a good effect in treating diseases such as wind-heat cold and sore throat. Now let's understand the efficacy and function of Daguolu!
【Morphological characteristics of Daguolu】
1. Stem
The stem is usually clustered, bent and upright, 10-30 cm tall. In shady and wet habitats, the lower part of the stem often grows prostrate, with roots growing on the nodes. The upper part is curved and can reach 60 cm long. It can be single or branched, densely covered with 1-1.5 mm long multicellular hairs.
2. Leaf
The leaves are opposite, with the two pairs at the top of the stem close together, forming a whorl. The upper leaves are usually 1-2 times larger than the lower leaves. The leaf blade is ovate to elliptic-ovate, rarely lanceolate, 1.5-8 cm long and 8-40 mm wide. The apex is sharp or slightly blunt with a sudden sharp tip, and the base is broadly wedge-shaped. The upper surface is dark green, and the lower surface is lighter. Both sides are covered with 1 mm long hairy bristles.
3. Flower
The inflorescence is terminal, almost head-like, and mostly multi-flowered. The flower stalk is 1-7 mm long and covered with soft hairs. The calyx is 6-9 mm long, divided almost to the base, with lanceolate lobes and a sharp tip on the back covered with soft hairs. The corolla is yellow, 10-13 mm long, with a fused base of about 3 mm long. The lobes are inverted ovate or oblong, 4-6 mm wide, with a sharp or round tip and transparent glandular spots.
【Efficacy and function of Daguolu】
1. Treatment of wind-heat cough
Wind-heat cough, as described in traditional Chinese medicine, is caused by wind-heat invading the body and the lungs losing their clarity, leading to cough. This condition is usually dry cough without phlegm, or the phlegm is yellow, and some may also have fever symptoms. Patients can use Daguolu to treat this condition. Boiling Daguolu in water and drinking the decoction can help dispel wind-heat and treat cough.
2. Treatment of sore throat
Daguolu has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, which is very effective in treating sore throat. After catching a cold, it is easy to cause sore throat. Taking Daguolu boiled in water can reduce swelling and relieve pain. Sore throat caused by excessive internal heat or staying up late can also be treated with Daguolu.
3. Treatment of hot toxic sores and boils
Daguolu has the efficacy of clearing heat and detoxifying, and can be used to treat hot toxic sores and boils. Hot toxic sores and boils are actually skin abscesses caused by external heat and toxins, and patients usually feel local redness, swelling, and suppuration. Smash fresh Daguolu and apply it to the wound, changing the medicine several times a day.
